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Bulletin, Issue 15, 2012

“Wolfstock”, the musical production currently showing at Mount Carmel College, is unquestionably a ‘howling’ good time – great entertainment for all ages.  Under the clever direction of Amanda Alexander-McGarrigle, the cast of 50 or so girls join a fledgling band of 9 students who are ably led by Musical Director, David McNamara on piano.

The show is an unusual blend of live music performance with backing tracks; energetic and colourful swing and gypsy dancing with historic film clips of the Elvis era; melodramatic comedy with the gentle awkwardness of teenage romance – albeit that in this all-girls’ cast, the audience has to suspend its disbelief in ‘the boys’.  Despite being unusual, it all works, with some wonderful LOL moments!

The vehicle for the comedy is the skilfully written script by Mary McMahon (aka Jo Denver) and Don Woodward.  Denver and Woodward have over the years been the mainstay of Peepshow Productions, a Queensland script source company who write specifically for schools.  Both writers have considerable experience as teachers and so their materials provide a wonderful training ground for youth to explore the adrenaline that comes with live performance.  The musical score is ideal for students beginning on new instruments, as is the case with this Mount Carmel Band, who warmed very well to their task. Selection of this particular show indicates Ms. Alexander-McGarrigle’s wisdom and experience. She has set the students up for success and for learning.

Musical moments were a genuine highlight of the show, with harmonies being nicely managed by the girls’ gang in ‘Who Can She Be?’ and by the eccentric Nuntys and Garous in ‘Average Ordinary Teenage Boy’.  The strongest voice on stage was that of Holly Rheinberger as Madame Berzerka – powerful and evocative as well as musically sound, and perhaps the ‘sweetest’ musical moment was Rachel Healey’s ‘Who Is That Girl?’ Full ensemble numbers were delivered with energy and clear enjoyment.

“Wolfstock” is filled with eccentric characters who are fun to work with and in this production, a number of young performers have risen to the challenge.  In particular, Chloe Evans as Loupy (the circus ringmaster and senior werewolf) and Sarah McCarthy as Freda Nunty (conservative mother of Jay, the junior werewolf) do much to lift the humour of the piece.  Whilst these two roles are the easiest to ‘get your teeth into’, part of the strength of these actors is their consistency of role adoption.  Both maintain their characters at all times and work the audience with direct eye contact and well posed facial expressions…they draw the laughs.  Beyond that, McCarthy is the only actor in the piece to truly value line endings – not one is thrown away.  Clear enunciation, a sense of comic timing and an immersion in the eccentricities of the character make her performance delightful.

It’s commitment to a role that ensures an eye-catching performance and in “Wolfstock” there is one chorus member whose performance deserves special comment. One of the dancers (with long black hair and at times in a hot pink swing skirt) stood out as the driving force of the ensemble energy.  The cameo roles of the ‘geeks’, Peggy and Evan were also commendable.  Here is evidence that you don’t need a leading role to be noticed as an outstanding performer.

Student exuberance is showcased in simple yet colourful , thematic costuming.  The clever use of back screen projection creates the more challenging settings – haunting full moons; eerie graveyards and plane flights; and the interiors of the Nunty home and the ‘Diner’- complete with jukebox are appealing and realistic.  Soundtracks are skilfully used to enhance setting, as in the ‘Circus’  and the Elvis concert- both featuring music and voices over that are part of past generations, but may well be new learning to students of this age group.

The showstopper is the song ‘We Go Wild’ – the Nunty’s speculation on romance whilst son Jay is away from home.  All age groups in the audience went wild with applause at its conclusion.  Very funny stuff!

“Wolfstock” is showing for a limited season in the Mount Carmel College Hall, at 7:30 p.m. with matinee performances also for schools.  Contact the Mount Carmel College office for tickets, or alternatively tickets may also be purchased at the door.  You’ll be guaranteed some ‘feel good’ fun and laughter from this complex but very well handled musical.

Review written by:

Sharyn Wilson – Drama Teacher – MacKillop Catholic College

Please note that this Review was written from Opening Night.  A number of the lead roles are shared and each respective actress is, in turn, performing magnificently!

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Bulletin, Issue 14, 2012